Coming Home... The Aftereffects of War

During the Vietnam era, Americans discarded an entire generation of disabled young men and women veterans. It took these veterans decades to return from their terrible ordeal. Today’s Wounded Warriors are returning to the homes they once knew from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of these veterans have woven their way through the labyrinth of military and veteran’s affairs medical and psychological care and are now attempting to matriculate back into society. Many of these veterans may not have grasped the tools and skills needed to transition from a life of high purpose to a more “normalized” life of day-to-day living. Additionally, they are now dealing with the challenges of a new physical disability sustained in the line of duty in addition to the responsibilities inherent with this new way of life. Many of them may feel discarded by their country and don’t know how to find their way in the world as productive citizens serving a need or purpose. This disconnect could lead to a maladjustment of the returning veteran leading to complex issues in the future. These veterans need the life-tools necessary to become productive young, disabled men and women.